Victor Lai Claims Historic Korea Open Crown
Victor Lai defeated Jason Gunawan 21-11, 21-14 to become the first Canadian men’s singles player to win the Korea Open.
The Nov. 8, 2026, final in Yeosu, South Korea, marked a major career breakthrough for the 22-year-old world No. 6. Lai added this Super 500 title to his earlier Indonesia Open Super 1000 victory. The straight-game win also leveled Lai’s head-to-head record against Gunawan at one victory apiece, avenging a previous loss in the 2025 Hong Kong Open qualifiers.
From Junior Rivals to Finalists
Lai and Gunawan share a long history on the international circuit.
Both players were born in 2004 and trained together in Hong Kong during their junior badminton days, maintaining a friendship despite representing different countries. Gunawan, ranked world No. 22, also made history at the tournament by becoming the first men’s singles player from Hong Kong to reach a Korea Open final.
Patience Powers Semifinal Turnaround
In the semifinals, Lai defeated Lee Cheuk Yiu 19-21, 21-15, 21-12. Lai credited patience for helping him turn the match around after dropping the first game to an opponent he described as a really good player with a really good attack.
Lai Wins $37,000 USD in Prize Money
The victory earned Lai $37,000 USD in prize money, pushing his career earnings close to $250,000 USD.
Badminton Canada’s Executive Director, Bryan Merrett, praised the milestone achievement. “Victor continues to shine on the world stage,” Merrett said. “His ability to learn from past performances continues to set him up for success. The Canadian badminton community celebrates his amazing performance!”
Road to the World Tour Finals
Lai is pursuing a top-eight qualification spot for the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2026, scheduled for December in Hangzhou, China.